Austin Theory’s first match following his shocking return as the mysterious masked attacker has been confirmed for an upcoming episode of WWE Raw. After weeks of speculation regarding the identity of the masked man, Theory unmasked himself on this week’s broadcast, signaling his official re-entry into the WWE landscape after a months-long absence.
The mystery began at Survivor Series in San Diego, where a masked figure interfered in the WarGames main event, causing chaos and shifting the momentum of the high-stakes matchup. The attacks continued on Raw, ending in the masked man assisting Logan Paul in a main event victory over Rey Mysterio. Following the match, the masked man jumped into the crowd before removing his mask to reveal the face of the former United States Champion, Austin Theory.
Theory, who had not competed on television since July, immediately aligned himself with Bronson Reed, forming a formidable new unit known as “The Vision.” During the double tapings for SmackDown and Raw in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it was announced that Theory will make his in-ring return in a tag team contest. He is set to team with Reed to take on Rey Mysterio and the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. Check out the spoilers here.
This match marks Theory’s first bout since the WWE Main Event tapings on July 14, where he suffered a loss to El Grande Americano. His return to the fold adds a new layer of danger to the Raw brand, as he appears focused on making an immediate impact at the top of the card. By targeting Mysterio and the World Heavyweight Champion, Theory is positioning himself as a major player heading into the new year.
The tag team encounter also serves as a preview to a championship match set for the first Raw of 2026. CM Punk is scheduled to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker on the January 5 episode. Facing Theory and Reed will be a severe test for the champion as he prepares for that title defense.
With the Royal Rumble fast approaching on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the landscape of Monday Night Raw is heating up.
